Devolution of power: Niger Delta leaders kick

The Edwin Clark-led Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) yesterday chided the National Assembly for rejecting the devolution of power to states in its constitution amendment bid.

The group gave the Federal Government up till November 1 to meet its 16 -point demand, failing which it would consider pulling out of the ongoing peace process in the region.

Besides, it called on the government to halt what it called the injustice in the oil sector by ensuring equity in distribution and allocation of appointments in government owned oil agencies.

Chief Clark wondered why the government would not want to dialogue with the group.

Speaking in Abuja yesterday on the failure of the federal lawmakers to vote in favour ofpower devolution to states, the former federal commissioner (minister) said “the actions of the members of the National Assembly, does not reflect the minds of Nigerians who voted them to office”

He described as “appalling that they have failed to put Nigerians into consideration. This is against the interest of the unity of the country.

“All we are saying is, “No Restructuring, no Nigeria.

“For the avoidance of doubt, and for the attention of those opposing the correction of the wrongness and oppressive unfairness of the political structure of the present Nigerian constitution, the nationwide call for restructuring is not a call against any part of, or group in the country. Nigerians negotiated within and amongst themselves, and with the British government, a political structure for independence.

“The system even if not exactly perfect, protected each and every section of the country as much as possible. Each has good reasons to be part of Nigeria, exercising guaranteed rights over it’s area of jurisdiction. Each contributed proportionately, according to it’s ability, to rest of the country.”

The group also posited that the continuous existence of the country lies in restructuring.

“All we are saying is, let us go back to the negotiated 1960 independence constitution, on which the 1963 Republican constitution was molded. IFF there be anything wrong with that constitution, it can become an issue to ameliorate, by amicable negotiations and consensus.

“Anything else is most obnoxious, and totally unacceptable to the peoples of the entire southern and Middle Belt areas of Nigeria, as well as the growing numbers of well-meaning Nigerians from the Northern part of the country.

“I wish to urge the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency, implement the pronouncements made by the Acting President, His Excellency, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, during his fact-finding visits to the Niger Delta region, and to set up, without delay, the Federal Government dialogue team to engage PANDEF, towards resolving the pending issues contained in the forum’s 16-point demands on behalf of the people of the Niger Delta region by or before, November 2017.

“We submitted a 16-point demand to Mr. President on November 1, 2016, and we had expected that by the next anniversary, the 16-point agenda would have been comprehensive sorted out.

“If, at the expiration of the November 1,2107, ultimatum, the Federal Government fails and or refuses to accede to these lawful and. Legitimate demands of the Niger Delta people, PANDEF may consider pulling out of the ongoing peace process in the Niger Delta.”

The group also queried the rationale behind allocating six seats for the North in the nine member board of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, which included the Chief of Staff to the President Mallam Abba Kyari.

PANDEF which also spoke against the age long deprivation of the people of the oil rich region in the scheme of things in the oil sector described as shocking that virtually all the oil blocks and marginal oil fields in the country are owned by Northerners and their counterparts in other part of the Nigeria, mostly South-Westerners and South-Easterners.

Clark posited that it was his duty to point out to the government what he described as “marginalization and neglect of the region.”

He called for a deliberate review to involve qualified indigenes of the oil and gas host communities in top and middle level positions as well as in the allocation of oil literate blocs/marginal fields in the oil and gas industry.

Niger delta people,do you know how many ultmatum giving by them in the past,nothing happen,fed govt did not take them serious.NOV 1/2017 will come and gone,nothing will happen.And they are the live wire of Nigeria

Nigerians are CURSED

The historical perspectives of the whole issues as it concerns the earlier constitution of the 60’s are mostly interesting. It is wondered if Edwin had departed this world, who would have been more chronological in respect to the historical aspects of this restructuring and confederation governance as it was in the 60s? Ogah talk all you know now so as to bring out the historical defense and awareness to the understanding of your children. However, endeavored to be constructive and objective in your history lessons.